I was told it was very likely not operable - the insides being a liability due to possible contaminates - though, not 100% sure. If so, it would be a shame as it would be nice to be able to see it in operation in the future.

Been there, done that - live and learn with the GG1, though even an operable GG1 at this point would not be operable on the NEC due to a change in the electric system.

As for placement - you're likely correct - for now, where else could they put it? It'll likely sit outside with the E-60 and one of the GG1's (which was once indoors with the other).

However - in the future, a lot of the equipment will be moved to a new roundhouse making room for more equipment inside.

It would be nice to see a NEW building, not the roundhouse, but another more modern building house the more modern equipment. The Amtrak stuff.

Here is a Baltimore Sun article stating that Amtrak has advised MARC they will stop maintaining MARC's electric fleet of 4 AEM7's and 6 HHP8000's. Amtrak's 15 HHP 8000s were all retired by November 2014 although similar locomotives powering the ACELA train sets remain in service. Amtrak has also retired all their unrebuilt AEM7's and is now setting aside those overhauled with AC components.

MARC plans to retire their electric locomotives and replace them with more Wabtec Diesels. In recent years MARC has used their AEM7's in pairs, presumably to reduce stress and handle longer trains. For several weeks this year MARC also used an Amtrak AEM7.

I drove past Friday night, it is sitting outside, easily visible from the main road. Didn't have time to stop for a shot - not much of a shot anyway. Might be able to get a glint this time of year, was unable to come back and give that a go.

At least 3 AEM7's remain in service. 946 pushed my MARC train this morning; I saws 917 handling a northward MARC Train and 942 was located at Ivy City with its pantograph up. MARC continues to use its HHP8000's but its own AEM7's which had been stored at Ivy City for several months have disappeared.